Given the amount of injuries hitting the first-team squad at present, it comes as no surprise that John Dungworth is taking a young Reserve side to the City Ground tonight to play Nottingham Forest in a 7pm kick-off in the Pontin's Holidays League.

With Simon Eastwood on England under-19 duty, Academy scholar Alex Smithies' return from the under-17 World Cup is well timed and he makes his first appearance this season for John Dungworth's second-string in tonight's game.

He will be protected by a back four of left-back Tom Jackson, right-back Danny Racchi and centre-backs Daniel Codman and Captain Tom Clarke, who will be aiming for another 90 minutes in his comeback from his anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The midfield will consist of Luke Malcher on the right with Mitchell Bailey and James Berrett in the centre. Danny Schofield (pictured) will occupy the left-wing and the minutes on the pitch will help him after missing two weeks recently through a family bereavement.

Up front, first year professional Lucas Akins will be partnered by second-year Academy scholar Daniel Broadbent.

Town's Team:

1. Alex Smithies

2. Danny Racchi

3. Tom Jackson

4. Mitchell Bailey

5. Tom Clarke (c)

6. Daniel Codman

7. Luke Malcher

8. James Berrett

9. Lucas Akins

10. Daniel Broadbent

11. Danny Schofield

Substitutes: Curtis Roberts, Spencer Harris, Dave Pickering, Lewis Nightingale, Stephen Brook